33 Cfr

MARSEC Level Increased

As of April 15, 2013, the Captain of the Port of Boston has raised the MARSEC Level to MARSEC level 2 within the COPT Boston zone. Each owner or operator of a vessel or facility required to have a security plan under 33 CFR Parts 104 or 105 must notify the COTP at (617) 223-5242 within 12 hours of receipt of notification that measures or actions described in their security plan and any other requirements that may be imposed by the COTP that correspond with MARSEC Level 2 have been attained. Due to this heightened level of security, regulated vessels and facilities under the authority of the COTP and all maritime partners are asked to be aware of the higher threat conditions and to increase protective measures. Security plans should be reviewed with employees and additional security measures implemented, where appropriate. The maritime industry, boaters and general public are asked to maintain a high state of alert and vigilance and to contact the Sector Command Center at (617) 223-5757 or VHF channel 16 for immediate assistance. For information about operations in the U.S. contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com  

Intertanko Develops Format for Reporting Inadequate Reception Facilities in U.S.

Intertanko, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), has developed a format for reporting problems encountered with port reception facilities (or inadequate port reception facilities) in the United States. The USCG recommends that an inadequate port reception facility in the U.S. should be reported immediately to the local Captain of the Port (COTP) as recommended in 33 CFR 158.167. If that is not possible, or preferred

Cove Point LNG Proposal Under Review

The Coast Guard concluded two days of meetings today with local, state and federal officials as part of its ongoing review to help evaluate the suitability of the Chesapeake Bay for importing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) aboard tankships. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Baltimore received a letter of intent to resume LNG import operations from the Williams Company at its Cove Point facility in Calvert County, Md., last October

Salvage Response under OPA 90: Non-Tankers are Next

Maritime casualties have always been tackled by a relatively small, egotistical, passionate and intrepid group of mariners called “salvors.”  Salvage as history knows it, however, may be taking a sharp turn as a result of the new game rules being injected by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90).  Back in 2008 the USCG issued the tanker final rule for salvage and marine firefighting (SMFF) under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990

Port Security Strengthened in Wake of Disaster

The entire United States (and anyone else in the world with access to cable or for that matter any TV) has become intimately involved in what is sure to become the seminal event of our time. The World Trade Center terrorism will change all of our lives in some respect from the day of the event onward. The only question is how much our lives will be changed. Even after the current threats pass our lives will ever be altered

Blank Rome Advisory on New CG Regs

Blank Rome issued a Maritime Developments Advisory as follows: The United States Coast Guard issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 31, 2009 on long-awaited new regulations concerning the following: (i) requiring owners and operators of nontank vessels to prepare and submit oil spill nontank vessel response plans (NTVRPs); (ii) updating the international Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) requirements; and (iii) requiring owners and operators to submit their

Mississippi Anchorage Low Water Hazards

New Orleans Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) discover vessels whose rudders may have set into the mud while safely anchored. Masters and/or operators of vessels are reminded of their responsibility, as noted in 46 Code of Federal Regulations 4.05-1, to notify the nearest Coast Guard Sector Office whenever their vessel is involved in a marine casualty which includes any unintended grounding [46 CFR 4.05-1(a)(1)].

Legislative Insider: Compliance with the New Security Standards

War is upon us. One cannot help but think that war and its impact upon our everyday lives will be with us, both directly and indirectly, for years to come. The US coalition forces will persevere and, in the end, prevail. The costs must be measured in human lives as well as dollars. Our world has forever changed and will continue to evolve in the aftermath of the war into the unforeseeable future. Security is part of the cost of living in this new, post-9/11 world.

USCG Seeks Comments on Liquid HazMat Regulations

The USCG is seeking feedback on its revision of 46 CFR part 151, the regulations for barges carrying bulk liquid hazardous materials. A starting point is a package of recommendations made by the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) in 1993. CTAC recommended modifying the regulations to address construction changes, venting and gauging arrangements, cargo classification (especially toxic cargo classifcation) and grandfathering provisions.

Terrorist Attacks Will Affect Port Operations

The entire United States (and anyone else in the world with access to cable or for that matter any TV) has become intimately involved in what is sure to become the seminal event of our time. The World Trade Center terrorism will change all of our lives in some respect from the day of the event onward. The only question is how much our lives will be changed. Even after the current threats pass our lives will ever be altered